4 stroke Honda 25 horse tiller was the most trouble free. Still running 18 years later with nothing changed but oil,plugs,and water pump as far as I know.

I would seriously be looking at a tiller steer on a small boat. I wouldn't have anything else.

I have a 1987 Johnson 9.9 2 stroke on a 1436 and its perfectly fine for me and a buddy to duck hunt with. It runs about 20 or so with me in it and 14 or so with 2 and gear. My duck hunting buddy has a 30hp tohatsu on a 1648 and with 2 people and gear he is running low to mid 30s. Depending on the size of the boat, i would look into the tohatsu EFI outboards. I think they started making the EFI outboards in 2017? They are light weight and come with a 5 year warranty.

I got a 9.8 4 strokeTohatsu on a Gheenoe.
Not a bad motor but it does not like to sit up somewhere.
Always,Always, Always, run the gas out of it when you're done,
I've torn the carb apart more times than I care to count.

Wish I had bought a Yamaha. Not finicky at all.